What I Wore

Sandals by Franco Sarto, dress Target


Sandals by Franco Sarto, dress Ross, headband J.Crew

Well, I have only two outfits to share this week. I thought you wouldn't be interested in my husbands tee's that I wore the rest of the week. I have been sick, so very sick. Barely have made it out of bed. Painful aches, nausea, fatigue and headaches kept me company most days. Anyway, Ellie was good to me and picked my new sandals 2 days in a row. Much better than the hooker heels she has been picking every other day. Oh, and did you notice that I wore things other than J.Crew? It happens time from time.

Symmetry

I know I browse the real estate listings a little too much, but what can I say, I enjoy it. What caught my eye the instant I saw this home is the symmetry of it all. The home's facade and the garden seem so serene and orderly. Two things I always crave. After seeing such a gorgeous outside I always expect to be let down a bit with the interior, but this one has no disappointments. The gorgeous lighting and color palette are perfection. That kitchen ceiling, wow. The mirror hanging in the bath is truly stunning. The kids rooms also are simple and livable, but still quite lovely. Oh, and don't even get me started on the armoire in the top of the stairs den.

As always if you are in the market for a home and this one strikes your fancy be sure to email me and I will get you in touch with the listing agent.

Growing Tomatoes

I would absolutely adore having a raised garden bed although as of right now that would take way more energy than I have right now. My next best solution is growing a few things in pots. Yesterday the kiddos and I planted heirloom and a yellow variety of tomatoes. I got the pots from Ikea and the trellis from Home Goods. Now here's to hoping that they actually grow.

Simply Stunning

After seeing The Design Capital Kitchen in Melbourne on Apartment Therapy I became quite smitten. It reminds me of a bit of moomah in New York which is where I got the inspiration for KJ's big boy room. This eatery has everything I love, industrial touches, gorgeous woods, planted herbs, and such a gorgeous and simple color scheme. Oh, how I wish I could have all those baskets to line my upper cabinets, just gorgeous. Be sure to go here to see more of this stunning place. The rest of it is just as breathtaking.

{images via Kelly Green}

Bump It Up

I received an email from one of the lovely ladies over at Ruby Press about a San Francisco based book signing/party on May 26th with Amy Tara Koch, style expert and author, and I am quite smitten with it. I got a preview of the book and it is quite witty and full of great information and inspiration. The illustrations are such pieces of art. I so desperately wish I had more style while I was pregnant. I definitely sported way too many sweatpants and tees with crocs, oh my what was I thinking. Along with the book signing there will also be spa treatments. If any of you are able to go, please oh please let me know how it went.

Oh and be sure to RSVP: rsvpsfevents@whotels.com

Kitchens, Baskets, and Painting...

In our kitchen we have a lot of dead space between our cabinets and ceiling. I am not into decorating above the cabinets with ivy and knickknacks so I have just left it bare. I have always loved the idea of putting rows of cake plates on top, but the space is so high it would have lost the impact. Some time ago I came across this image and saved it into my inspiration folder, I recently came across it again and became quite enamored with the baskets above the cabinets. I love the natural feel it brings without any fuss.


So this brings me to our kitchen. I have started my basket collection. I have two so far and rather like how it fills in the dead space. So if any locals come across any lovely baskets for great prices then be sure to let me know. These two came from Home Goods. Also my wall paint color is reading a bit more yellow than it should in the shot. I swear it's because it's the color of the cabinets (more accurate color interpretation found here). My wall color is sherwin williams rice grain. Doug I am sure you will be so excited to hear I am back on my wanting to paint kick. We are in this home for the long haul so I mine as well make it the best that it can be, right? I am thinking this would make a superb birthday present to me.


I am thinking a color similar to Farrow and Ball Hardwick White without the price tag. Then again maybe I should take the plunge? As you can see my mind is not quite set. Something close to this...


I know this color would go with my decor quite nicely. Any of you know a color like this that you absolutely love or if you think I am going in the wrong color direction let me know? Also has anyone used Farrow and Ball? I would love to hear your thoughts!

Thank you all for your sweet comments on my last post. You all had me blushing. I suppose a picture or two a week would be no big thing.

What I Wore

I remember hearing Jenna Lyons in an interview saying she lets her little boy pick out her shoes every morning and she does her outfits around them. I thought this to be an adorable idea and decided to give it a go with Ellie and KJ. The last outfit was all me, we were out of town sans kiddos shooting a wedding but I thought I would share anyway.

Day 1


Out running errands. Top, pants, cardigan all J.Crew. Shoes Payless, belt I have had it so long it may be considered vintage.

Day 2


Working in the garden and I am gross. Top to bottom J.Crew.

Day 3


Running errands with the little man. Shoes converse, tank J. Crew, romper American Eagle (yes, I know I am too old to shop in there this is my only piece mind you).

Day 4


Rehearsal dinner. Dress J. Crew and shoes Nine West.

Day 5


The wedding party ran a 5k first thing in the morning. I took pictures. Top to bottom J. Crew. Belt vintage.

Before I started I thought this could make a fun weekly post, but then I soon realized by the second week all my outfits start looking the same and getting pictures everyday is a pain. Also this is a lot of me on here and well that's just not that interesting. If you all really do care about what I wore then maybe I can an outfit a week or something. I will let you all decide.

Guest Blogging

{image via here and here}

Today I am over here sharing a few of my favorite books.

And yesterday I was over here sharing When I Think of England... this post may or may not include Jude Law, ha!

Hope you all are having a lovely day!

A Pick Me Up

I have been feeling a bit under the weather. I am thinking food poisoning, but alas I am still not feeling back to my old self. Well, I have been seeing peonies all over blog land lately and they happen to be one of my favorite flowers so yesterday I went out and bought a bunch. They make me happy.

Images taken with my blackberry (I was being lazy) and then uploaded using this. Thought it made my bad pics not so bad, ha!

Inspire Me

Here are a few images that have me going back and back again so I thought I would share just in case you missed them...

This gorgeous table set for Easter makes me want to make Easter dinner more of an event for the kiddos. My husband is a pastor so we don't get to see him Easter weekend so it's just me and the kiddos. I want to make sure I still make it special though. I also would not mind having that light fixture, GORGEOUS!

This lakeside retreat has me swooning. What can I say all the white leaves it looking fresh, the cowhide stool is calling my name, the subway tile is a favorite of mine, and that lamp, wow.


Loving this cabinet. The coral inside makes me want to break out my paint brushes. Of course the fabulous wallpaper behind makes it all the better.


I always love seeing snippets of Jennifer's home. She's always changing things around and is a continual inspiration. Our sideboards are even painted the same color. I kindly asked her if she would mind coming over and doing my entry table. I am in desperate need of a new eye. I think she thought I was joking.


It seems in this market we will be calling our house home for quite some time so of course I want to make it the best it can be. Our garden has my full attention for now. This shed makeover has my wheels turning. Isn't it darling? No, we don't have a shed, but we could right?

Via Me oh My | A Life's Design {via Southern Living} | Pink Wallpaper {via Martha Stewart} | Newlywed Diaries | High Street Market

Blueprint Bliss

A couple weeks ago I had the pleasure of snapping a few pics of Brooke's new nursery. It is completely stunning. She has chosen to wait to know the baby's gender. I think this nursery is gender neutral perfection. To see more go here.

J. Crack

Okay, lately I have been noticing that I wear a whole lot of J. Crew. It fits me well and I love the classic style so I won't feel guilty about it. We all know I love a good uniform so why shouldn't my whole uniform come from the same spot, right? So needless to say I have this top and the shorts. They make me feel all spring like. I wouldn't mind having these cute sandals to stroll around in, but then again I need another pair of sandals like I need a hole in my head. Of course a pedicure is in order while my tootsies are on display. The sunglasses bring a bit of edge to the look but the price may very well send me over the edge when I see one of the kiddos grab them. The purse would be easy to wear crossed over my shoulder while the kiddos and I get entangled in a game of tag. Oh, and when I become much too wore out to take another step then I would take a seat on a bench and start reading a good book.

Do you have a shop you can't get enough of?

Nashville

I am sure you have heard by now the devastating flood that took place in Nashville. It really is heart breaking. So many homeowners didn't have flood insurance and have lost everything. Stephanie's mother was one of those people. To see more of the destruction and maybe lend a helping hand be sure to go here.


You can also show your support by purchasing one of these posters to support flood victims. I was quite excited when I came across them on Bird on a Wire. Lift Up Nashville... such a great cause.

My Garden

I thought since I shared my garden inspiration yesterday then I would share my back garden today. Please excuse my weeds I plan to conquer them today. Oh, and yes I am well aware that the huge hydrangea bush needs to be moved. I had no idea it would get so big so fast. Live and learn, right?





Here is a view of my garden. I would love this look throughout, but wow its a lot of work. Well worth it though I think. What I would love is to disguise the fence all the way around. I love having a fence, but would love to mask it more. Oh, and that's the hydrangea that needs to be moved. I also plan to plant climbing fig to cover the vinyl back of our house. The other three sides are brick. I think this is my cheapest, I mean best option, right?


We have a swing set, not quite inspiration garden material, but it is fabulous for the kiddos. The swings and hand rings are from Ikea.


I am planning on getting new dining chairs this year. I am thinking these for the side and two big wicker ones for the ends.

Now for my garden to bloom so I can have cut flowers for free!

Happy Birthday to my sweet Mama! Can you guess what your present is?

Garden Inspiration

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This past weekend I finally watched It's Complicated and I fell head over heels so much so that I watched it twice. The home was stunning but what had me most in awe was the garden. It is simply my dream garden. I am quite proud of what I have done in our yard so far, but I would love to add more. My home's yard is not quite as grand (or even close) as the one in It's Complicated, but this one is quite similar only on a smaller scale. It has me swooning. Any gardeners out there now how much something like this (backyard only) would run me? I am assuming it would be more than our home is worth, ha! This gorgeous home is owned by Troy Rhone of Troy Rhone Garden Design. The home is up for sale, but again out of our price range for just under $390,000. Did I mention how much I love this garden?